1
as in to affect
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the pressure of final exams is beginning to tell on the students in the dorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to talk
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
detectives convinced the perpetrators in custody to tell on their associates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell (on)
Verb
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Over three seasons, Emmanwori started 36 games and affected the game in every facet.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026 -
The agency did not directly address whether the transition could affect service continuity, instead directing questions about services to the county, which will take over many programs.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reis talked her way onto a crew member’s unofficial salvage expedition.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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His content is best known for his spontaneous interactions, such as stopping to talk with strangers on the roadside or offering impromptu taxi services.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the still-life composition, a cheeky visual lesson on the collision and convergence of cultures, the jar holds flowers, cactus and edible Mexican treats influenced by Chinese and Filipino flavors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The film explores the glamour and corruption of mid-’80s Miami in an all-new version of Miami Vice, inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the landmark Universal Television series that influenced culture and set the style in everything from fashion to filmmaking.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jess Park Given Toone’s absence, Park will be disappointed not to be handed a start against Spain or Iceland, with Kendall and Blindkilde Brown handed opportunities to impress.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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In a group photo from Sunday, April 19, the teens stood between their parents before heading off to prom, both dressed to impress for the night out.—
Georgia Slater,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Williams said that the new results can help inform the experimental design for these future missions.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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The fans who experience it smoothly will be the ones who planned early, stayed informed and adapted their expectations to the realities of hosting an event of this scale.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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McVay also said the decision to draft Simpson does not impact contract negotiations with Stafford as the Rams look to give him a new deal ahead of next season.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Love is an explosive home run hitter who can impact the game on any down.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Ravens’ first pick Thursday was Penn State’s Vega Ioane, a 6-foot-4 and 326-pound guard who is described as a mauler and who vowed that no one is going to touch his quarterback, Lamar Jackson.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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For this reason, produce that has been touched by floodwater is no longer considered food-safe and should not be consumed.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The incident was captured on camera by a freelance news videographer and appeared to show Evans acting calm and raising his hands in the air when an officer fired a bean bag round that struck him in the stomach, dropping him to the ground.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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The employee was taking an order in the drive-through line when Peavey approached her from behind and struck her with the brick.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Tell (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20%28on%29. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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